Vern B. "Bud" Richens, age 90. of Gusher, passed away on Aug. 8, 2012, doing what he loved, working in his garden.

Vern was born Sept. 17, 1921, in Vernal to Vern and Melvina Thompson Richens. He married Nial LaPreal McCurdy on June 23, 1943, in Malad, Idaho. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They married the day before Bud shipped off to the Pacific during WWII. He served until the end of the war being on a ship in the bay where the treaty was signed. Shortly after there was a typhoon which sunk all the ships around the area except his.

Bud was a kind, caring, generous man who loved his family and mankind. Always willing to help others and share produce from his garden. He loved to garden, hunt, fish, trap, play the guitar, the harmonica, sing and yodel. For 4 years he and his group played at various care centers, lighting up people's day with his wonderful bass voice and instruments.

Vern and Nial served a mission together from 1993-1995 in Oklahoma City and also worked as ordinance workers in the Vernal LDS Temple.

He is survived by his wife, Nial Richens, Gusher; children, Vernon (Diane) Richens, Gusher; Kyle Richens, Vernal; 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 12 great great grandchildren, siblings, Merlin (Rhea) Richens, Roosevelt; Carol Ebling, and Clifton Richens, both of Vernal.
He was preceded in death by daughter, Raema Richens Carter, siblings, Hazel Atwood, Violet Neal, Stella Searle, Grant Richens, Nila Geddes, Harold Richens, Barbara Jenkins, Melvin Richens and 3 infant siblings.

Funeral services were held Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. at the Ballard LDS Chapel.

Burial in the Gusher City Cemetery with military honors presented by the Roosevelt American Legion Post #64 and the Utah National Guard.
Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com.

Published in Uintah Basin Standard from August 13 to August 20, 2012